Bölva

Old Norse Dictionary - bölva

Meaning of Old Norse word "bölva" (or bǫlva)

As defined by the Cleasby & Vigfusson Old Norse to English dictionary:

Old Norse word bölva can mean:bölva

bölva (bǫlva)
að, [Ulf. balvjan = βασανίζειν], to curse, with dat. or absol., Stj. 37, 199, Sks. 539, 549, Hom. 33.
bölva (bǫlva)
β. to swear, Sturl. iii. 239. bölv, n. swearing, (mod.)

Orthography: The Cleasby & Vigfusson book used letter ö to represent the original Old Norse vowel ǫ. Therefore, bölva may be more accurately written as bǫlva.

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark:ᛒᚢᛚᚢᛅ
Younger Futhark runes were used from 8th to 12th centuries in Scandinavia and their overseas settlements

Abbreviations used:

absol.
absolute, absolutely.
dat.
dative.
f.
feminine.
l.
line.
m.
masculine.
Ulf.
Ulfilas.
mod.
modern.
n.
neuter.

Works & Authors cited:

Hom.
Homiliu-bók. (F. II.)
Sks.
Konungs Skugg-sjá. (H. II.)
Stj.
Stjórn. (F. I.)
Sturl.
Sturlunga Saga. (D. I.)
➞ See all works cited in the dictionary

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